Today is my husband's birthday -- he's not overly fond of cake, so my tradition has been to make him a giant chocolate chip cookie each year. Thought I'd share the recipe I use for Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies as well as a few tips I've picked up along the way.
Thick, Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 cup butter (at room temp.)
1 1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
2 lg. eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 1/2 c. flour
2 cups semisweet choc. chips
1 c. chopped pecans (optional)
1. In a med. bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until well blended. Beat in eggs and vanilla till smooth.
2. Mix flour, baking soda, salt in another bowl. Stir into butter mixture until well incorporated. Stir in choc. chips and pecans
3. Drop dough in 2 Tablespoon portions (1/8 cup) - 2 inches apart onto buttered baking sheets.
4. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes in a 400 degree oven.
5. Let stand a few minutes and then transfer cookies to wire rack to cool completely.
I baked the big cookie about 12 minutes - and it definitely turned out soft and chewy!
Here are the tips for soft/chewy cookies I've gathered:
High moisture content helps to make them soft/chewy ---adjusting the baking time, temperature, and recipe is the trick.
Recipe Adjustment:
Brown sugar (especially if it contains molasses which is 10 percent water)
A little extra flour - makes the dough stiffer so it spreads less and there is less liquid evaporation
Butter and eggs also work towards the moisture retention making the dough more elastic and add steam as the cookies bake
Mass helps retain the moisture as well -- BIG dollops of dough instead of 1 teaspoon
Baking Time
Bake thick cookies for a shorter time to minimize spreading
Remove cookies when the rim is brown and at least 1/3 of the center remains pale
Temperature
Increase oven temp. to bake quicker
Try it and let me know what you think!
This post linked to:
Take A Look Tuesday
Humble Homemaking Weekend Review
Fun With Food Friday
Sweets For A Saturday
Sweet Tooth Friday
Culinary Smackdown Battle - Cookies